Horror as children added to Whatsapp group and sent swastikas and pornography

Parents have been sent warnings after primary school children were added to a mass Whatsapp group before being sent offensive imagery including swastikas and pornography.

Rochdale Council issued the alert to primary schools across the borough following reports of 'key stage two' children being added to a group dubbed 'The 800 club'. Parents were told the aim of the group, which had reportedly reached around 600 members, was to garner 800 members.

They warned once added to the mass chat, children were sent 'far right imagery' and 'nude imagery' from 'unknown members'. Children were also asked to divulge their age and other personal details, it added.

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In an email seen by the Manchester Evening News, parents were told: "A number of our key stage 2 children have been added into a Whatsapp group called The 800 club. The aim of this chat is to reach 800 members. It currently stands at around 600.

"Within this group unknown members have shared far right imagery such as the swastika, nude imagery in the form of gifs, inappropriate and offensive language, and children are being asked to divulge personal details such as their age."

A spokesperson from Rochdale Borough Council told the M.E.N: “Information relating to a WhatsApp group was brought to the attention of our safeguarding team. In keeping with our safeguarding practice, we shared this information with schools across the borough so they could take appropriate action.

“All children should be safe at school. As a council we have robust safeguarding procedures in place to protect the children in our care and to ensure they receive the very best education possible.”